Jamala picked up the prize on Saturday night (May 14) for her song “1944”, about Stalin’s deportation of Crimean Tatars during World War II. A song seen by many as a political swipe at Russia, which annexed Crimea two years ago.

“It’s a big honour for me and, at the same time, a big responsibility,” Jamala said of her victory.

“I was sure that if you sing, if you talk about truth it can really touch people.”